N’Jikam’s promoter, Michael King of King Sports World out-bid Main Events on July 14 for the right to promote the bout, whose winner will be the mandatory challenger for IBF beltholder Sam Soliman. King outbid Main Events $80,000 to $62,000 and the purse will be split 60-40 in Stevens’ favor.

“Michael King gave me the news this morning and I was very happy to hear that ESPN 2 has decided to pick this fight up,” said Duva. “It is a terrific match that truly deserves to be on TV. Now fans all across the country and the world will be able to enjoy what promises to be an electrifying bout between two top middleweights.”

Stevens (27-4, 20 knockouts) was last in action for a 10th-round stoppage of Tureano Johnson in April, his second straight win since he was KO’ed in eight rounds by WBA beltholder Gennady Golovkin in November.

N’Jikam (30-1, 18 KOs) has won three consecutive fights since losing a unanimous decision to WBO titleholder Peter Quillin in October 2012 and was last in the ring in April when he outpointed Fulgencio Zuniga.